Time for a little rest

I have to say, this year has been amazing. It hasn't quiet come to an end yet but i've already started a big long list of goals for next year, my office space at home is such a mess it's embarrassing, my sketch book is brimming with ideas, I got a bit carried away on realestate.com and fell in love with the coolest apartment ever in the middle of the city which I am looking at on Thursday, I have fabric samples being sent to me from Melbourne which I cannot wait to have arrive, my email account hasn't received emails since Dec 20th (its being addressed now but boy has this taught me a whole new level of patience, thanks to my techy friend whos fixing it all!), every time I sit down for a cup of tea my mind goes wandering and I find myself digging out more exciting things from my office and starting new messy projects which end up on the kitchen table for weeks (and weeks and weeks)...point is, my boyfriend and I have packed our van today and are getting away from it all. We're driving to Normanville, sleeping in the car, we'll live off chinese take-away (ah..please be open!) and generally just laze around. I know I will probably have trouble switching off and i'll be itching to get back to all the rush and drama (and emails..here's hoping) and messy office but it will be great and I can't wait.

Goodbye 2012, you've been soooooo good to me, hello 2013, you're going to be even better. I know it.

Stirling Map

I just completed illustrating this map for Sticky Rice Cooking School. It was really fun putting together, I grew up in Stirling actually so I was quite familiar with all the little places that belonged on there. Sticky Rice is a cooking school in the Adelaide Hills, they are building some asian style villas at the moment, so the map is to show the new comers all the brilliant places that Stirling has to offer. You should come visit if you havn't already!

Sunday Dinners

I just finished working on such a beautiful project. I was commissioned to compile a collection of home recipes belonging to a lovely elderly lady called Merle. Every Sunday for as long as the family can remember, Merle has hosted dinner at her place.

Before beginning the project, I was invited to Merle's house for some inspiration. I took countless photos of her kitchen, crockery, cuttlery, mugs and pantry, and then we ate pickled onion and cheese aswell as tea and cake on her patio.

It was such a pleasure putting this together. The book is broken into sections of Entrees, Mains, Desserts and Odds & Sods. I illustrated a title page for each course, taking inspiration from the way the dining table would look at this time. The contents are accompanied by an illustration of her kitchen. The recipes also include the name of the family member who requested it be included in her book, which I think is a lovely touch.  

Merle was presented with the book today, on her Birthday! Although she knew I was up to something, she had no idea what the book would look like. Happy Birthday Merle and hope you like it. x

Damn The Man Night Market

Last night was the very first Damn The Man Night Market, held in the gorgeous old Queens Theatre, Adelaide. I didn't get the chance to venture very far, as I was the only one manning my stall, but here are a few photos of the space around me. On my left was Resinate Jewellery (who I made a little trade with, love my earings!) and on my right Artist and Illustrator, Fruzsi Kenez. Was a great evening, next project, getting ready for That Dapper Market, December 15th. See you there!

Sydney Weekend

I just came back from a glorious four days away in Sydney. On Thursday night I had a print in an exhibition in Manly, which was kind of the main reason for the trip. The rest of the days were spent walking to Surry Hills, visiting the Botanic Gardens, the Opera House, eating delicious Spanish tapas and browsing the art gallery. On the last day we returned to this playground especially for me to conquer the giant rope pyramid (I really wanted to climb it on the first day but I was wearing a skirt, the second time I went back there were too many kids on it...). There I am on the top of it, I'd fly back just for this. PS. I want that turtle fountain!!

Monday Night

Last night I invited some close friends and family to help me celebrate the completion of the thesis that I have been writing this year. 

Just to give you a brief run down, my research revolved around digital design simluating hand-made image making techniques. I asked myself about the benefits of adding nostalgia to current design aswell as the fascination people have with the past. My practice ties in strongly with these ideas; although my illustrations are digital, I always aim for them to appear one off and unique. I embrace the natural imperfections that come with working by hand.

As part of my research I also set up a display of some of my current work. Dad helped me make the tressle table legs, the table top is an old door that I painted and then lined with ply wood, and the accessories are all bits and pieces from my home. 

Thanks everyone so much for your support and encouragement, it means so much to me. pip xx
 
 

Happy Birthday Irving Baby!

Irving Baby has just turned 20, happy birthday! To celebrate, they gave 20 Adelaide creatives a lamp each to adorn / embellish / remodel / paint / sew / glue...etc as they chose. The opening night was last month, but they are still all on display in store. This is what I did to the lamp I was given:

Carrier Pigeon!

One of my most recent illustrations. This will be available as a limited edition print in a few weeks to come. Oh, I can already see this hanging in a kids room, too cute.

It's the idea that counts...

I couldn’t help but share this little drawing of mine. I came across it as I was flipping through my sketch book the other day. It’s the initial concept sketch of my unicorn illustration…cracks me up everytime! Have a happy Tuesday! x

Window Kitties at Irving Baby!

Hello!

As some of you might know, a couple of months ago I was so lucky to have won a competition sponsored by Posca Pens! I was required to reproduce my submitted illustration onto Irving Baby's shop front window using Posca Pens. I received a huge prize pack of pens and a voucher from Irving Baby too. Yay!

Irving Baby is a really cool shop, its pretty much an Adelaide icon. I've been shopping there since I can remember, so I felt quite honoured to be given this opportunity.

I was a bit nervous before starting actually, normally I dont have people watching me whilst I draw. It was also a bit daunting looking at the huge window and making the first mark. I soon relaxed into it and even stopped occasionally to wave at passers by and have people take photos of me from the outside of the window with their phones. I was really happy with how it all turned out, I want to draw on my windows at home now but I dont think my landlord would like it...

Here are a few pics from the experience aswell as a youtube video. If you're around Adelaide, go take a look! The Kitties are always changing, depending on the time of day and the amount of light streaming in. See ya! x

Spring Cleaning

The start of Spring has brought about a sudden urge to de-clutter and to get organised. The past few days of sunshine have reminded me that Summer is just around the corner, I need to get cracking! Tomorrow, I’m starting with a trip to Bunnings, keep you posted! xx

Happy Little Unicorn

If this doesnt cheer you up on this cold and rainy Thursday (for those of you in Adelaide), then I dont know what will! Happy Little Unicorn is now for sale in my etsy shop, printed onto a gorgeous 100% recycled paper stock. Yay! x

Kitty Launch!

Friday morning was the kind of morning where everything just came together, perfectly. Before I go any further, thanks so much to the amazingly talented Amelia, from Amelia O'Connor Photography. It was such an inspiration collaborating with you and watching you work your magic with the camera. 

This is the start of something very new and exciting for me as an illustrator. Over the past few months I’ve had a real urge to experiment with the application of my illustrations. What I have come up with is a limited edition line of brooches that I am so totally excited about.

What I’ve created is 75 wooden cat heads! Yes, it took me a while…and the discerning looks of confusion from my boyfriend didn’t help (just between you and me, I think he wants me to get a real job), but when I start something I am the kind of person that has to finish! And horaaah I have finished!  I am looking at all 75 of my little babies and they are all staring back!

Due to my lack in carpentry skills, my kitties have been laser cut. Having said this though, each one is different. No two are the same. I didn’t want to put my name to something that was crazily mass produced, so I hand drew 75 cats and then got these shapes cut. The next step was giving each brooch a base coat of watercolour paint, I wanted something that would absorb into the wood and show the grain. The details were then added with a fine brush of acrylic paint and a black 1point felt tip pen. The backs were each lined with a small square of wool felt (to avoid snagging your brooch on that special blouse you intend on wearing it with) and a silver coated pin.

Laser cut shapes are normally about precision and perfection, I wanted to challenge this idea and produce something that still included the natural imperfections that come with something that is hand made. I’ve noticed the popularity in laser cut shapes and the temptation lies in getting as many done as you possibly can. But who wants the same thing that everyone else has. That’s what I like about these; each kitty has their own personality. 

If you would like a little cat that will follow you wherever you go, they are available at Urban Cow Studio, 11 Frome Street, Adelaide. Or you can also adopt one here, online.

For the full shoot, pop on over to Amelia's blog. Be sure to check out her other work too. Amazing.

P.S. If you happen to be wondering who the gorgeous model is in the shoot, that’s Gaby. She’s an illustrator. Be sure to check out some of her work by following her Tumblr. She also has an exhibition up currently in Bliss Café on Gouger Street. She does some of the most detailed, realistic pencil drawings I have seen.

Let me know what you think! x

Tis the season to be jolly!

Over at my place, I am full swing into the Christmas spirit! I may be a little keen, but with so many exciting projects on the horizon, I have no time to waste. These past few weeks have been spent getting my new line of greeting cards into motion. This line is about stepping back from all the big traditional things and taking notice of the details that make Christmas what it is. What would the big day be without a pudding? Or the simple yet delicious combination of mince pies and a cup of tea? I’m not quite finished yet, but I’d love to share with you what I’ve come up with so far.

Like all my cards, these will be printed onto a beautiful 100% recycled stock and will come with a recycled brown envelope to match. I'd love to know what you think! x

Project Card Stand

These past few days have been spent busily fine tuning my cluster of framed illustrations for SALA. A few weeks ago, I was fortunate enough to be squeezed last minute into a group show at Terrace Floors and Furnishings (Number 216 in the SALA book), so my name isnt actually in the publication, but im in the show none the less. 
 

I will have my line of greeting cards on display too, with the majority of these designs available as prints. So, in order to make this possible, I had to employ the skills of my trusty Dad this evening, we headed to the workshop to create a card display stand for the exhibition, yay! After a few solid hours of Dad translating my very non-structurally sound sketches into reality, we (mainly him..) had finished our creation and my oh my what a beautiful sight it was! Without tooting my own horn, isnt this just the cutest loveliest card stand you have ever seen!?

If you're diary is free on August 1st, it would be wonderful to see your smiling face at the exhibition opening! 51 Glen Osmond Road, Terrace Floors and Furnishings, Eastwood. SA. 5pm. x